Response from Merkley to a Poignant email I sent.

Active Member

While I suspect Merkley's office wrote this and not the Senator himself, I am hopeful that since Sen. Merkley is the one who pinned me with my Silver Star for actions in OEF, that he might actually have read my attempt to point out simple facts without any rhetoric to him and the perspective of a constituent.
We shall see how much of a supporter he actually is? All I can do is continue to write him and other elected officials and hope they see the light of reason.

"Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about legislation and actions being considered to address gun violence. I appreciate hearing from you.

In the wake of the tragic mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary and right at home in Clackamas Town Center, I have heard a wide range of views from many Oregonians on gun policies and gun violence. Indeed, I am deeply saddened by these senseless shootings and the loss of innocent lives.

As I consider proposed policies regarding guns, I will have two perspectives. As a supporter of the Second Amendment, I will ask if the proposals meet the constitutional test. Second, I will ask if the proposals will make a difference in the tragic situations we have witnessed. In short, I will be digging into the facts and research about each of the proposals on the table with these perspectives in mind.

It is appropriate in light of the recent tragedies that this is a national discussion, and I'm glad you are sharing your thoughts with me. I will keep your views in mind and hope you will keep me informed about the issues that concern you."

Active Member

Another form letter that can be sent to anyone regardless of their take on gun control. Too bad. Have you considered calling and asking to speak directly with him? Some of our reps have staff assigned to veterans issues, so maybe the SS will get you heard.

Active Member

Well-Known Member

I got the same letter today. It still makes sense to keep writing, because they tally the opinions they receive and may change positions accordingly.

Form letter or no, it still represents his views. It's the best we could hope for: would a mag limit have changed anything? Of course not. Did outright bans make any difference? Of course not. He's going to challenge the Feinstein bill with hard questions.

Active Member

Thank you all for your responses. I am just an old soldier who was in the wrong place at the right time and did nothing more than any of my brothers in arms would have done. I take pride in my actions not because of a shiny medal but because it was the right thing to do.
Regarding Sen. Merkley, I appreciate hearing that many of you received the same letter. I believe a phone call to DC and potentially even a hand written letter will be next?

I asked him the very same questions you point out Chemist. How will any of that make a difference if they are unwilling to acknowledge the underlying issue behind most, if not all, mass tragedies. Guns are not the cause, they are the tool. A numbness of the soul or lack of empathy for their fellow human are at the root of current society. The reasons behind perpetration of evil are not found in more or less government regulations but in the hearts and convictions of every person and their willingness to accept it rather than act against it.
/off my soapbox..
Cheers to all my Brothers.
Doc

Active Member

I believe a phone call to DC and potentially even a hand written letter will be next?

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I suggest calling his local office and asking if there is a veterans coordinator or someone who can help a veteran. Tell them that you were decorated by merkley and would like to meet with him the next time he is home. They will likely be all over it, if nothing else, just for a photo op.

When I was discharged I almost went to work for peter defazio as his veterans outreach coordinator. Then I got smart and decided to work at Texaco pumping gas :laugh: while working my way through college.

SHUT YOUR FACE!!Gold Supporter

BTW- Lastnight I sent off an email to Merkely, Wyden, and Schrader, stating that if they vote for ANY further gun restrictions that I would donate my time and financial donations to defeat them in the next primary elections, and should they still win, then I would donate said time and finances towards their defeat in the general elections after that. That I didn't want their platitudes about them being "heart broken" over the recent mass-shooting events, and to honor their oath... Then signed it, "DON'T TREAD ON ME!"

Merkley sent me the EXACT SAME letter today. It appears more "concilliatory" than what his office was putting out earlier, so he may be caving into the pressure from his constituents.... KEEP IT UP, and if you get tired, pop some viagra and keep at it!

A little off topic but significant none the less:
The Silver Star is the third highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy.
Past recipients include:
Audie Murphy
Chuck Yeager
Douglas McArthur
John J. Pershing
George S. Patton
Jimmy Doolittle

CurmudgeonSilver Supporter2015 Volunteer

While I suspect Merkley's office wrote this and not the Senator himself, I am hopeful that since Sen. Merkley is the one who pinned me with my Silver Star for actions in OEF, that he might actually have read my attempt to point out simple facts without any rhetoric to him and the perspective of a constituent.
We shall see how much of a supporter he actually is? All I can do is continue to write him and other elected officials and hope they see the light of reason.

"Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about legislation and actions being considered to address gun violence. I appreciate hearing from you.

In the wake of the tragic mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary and right at home in Clackamas Town Center, I have heard a wide range of views from many Oregonians on gun policies and gun violence. Indeed, I am deeply saddened by these senseless shootings and the loss of innocent lives.

As I consider proposed policies regarding guns, I will have two perspectives. As a supporter of the Second Amendment, I will ask if the proposals meet the constitutional test. Second, I will ask if the proposals will make a difference in the tragic situations we have witnessed. In short, I will be digging into the facts and research about each of the proposals on the table with these perspectives in mind.

It is appropriate in light of the recent tragedies that this is a national discussion, and I'm glad you are sharing your thoughts with me. I will keep your views in mind and hope you will keep me informed about the issues that concern you."

All my best,

Jeffrey A. Merkley
United States Senator

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I got the same response today to my letter, in which I explained that the proposed legislation would be ineffective because it outlaws only cosmetics, not any functional difference. I also pointed out that had we had a working public mental health system in place the Sandy Hook shooter may have been in custody for observation after the altercation at the school the previous day, instead of free to seek revenge.

CurmudgeonSilver Supporter2015 Volunteer

Senator Joe Blow, having reviewed the proposed legislation addressing so-called "assault" weapons introduced today by Senator Feinstein, I must comment that this legislation does absolutely nothing substantive. None of the characteristics banned by this legislation affects the rate of fire, accuracy, power, or lethality of the weapons affected. Identical weapons recognized as benign hunting rifles, with the same rate of fire, accuracy, power, and lethality (when equipped with the same magazine) would still be legal and available to anyone not disqualified by criminal or mental issues. The link below shows an example of such a rifle, the "before" picture being a hunting version of Ruger's 10-22 rifle, while the "after" picture is the same rifle, with the same functionality, dressed up with cosmetic accessories:

It has recently been revealed that the Sandy Hook shooter was involved in an altercation at the school the day before the murders. In years gone by, when we still had an effective public mental health system in most states, the shooter would probably have been confined for observation for 72 hours the day before the shooting. Unfortunately, those programs were dismantled in about 1970 in the interests of patient's rights and "fiscal responsibility", so Mr. Lanza was free to go back the next day to take his revenge.

We don't need more gun legislation. What is currently proposed would not have helped. What we do need is a renewed, viable, public mental health system across the nation, so that beleaguered families have somewhere to turn when one of their members is a danger to the public and themselves. Currently, there are no effective resources available.

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